A major flaw with the NECAP is the focus on one area of knowledge while ignoring all others. You can raise scores by giving opportunities for students to “cram” for the mathematics test.

Unfortunately this takes time away from everything else. It also implies that mathematics is more important than all other subjects.

The Scituate School System made a concerted effort to improve scores and scores did improve. Unfortunately they had to reallocate funds to do so. Other subjects paid the price in student time and teacher assignments.

Let’s hope that the Warwick School System is not tempted to do the same thing.